ENVE SES 4.5 Wheelset

ENVE SES 4.5 Wheelset

When speed across most any terrain is priority number one, look no further than the ENVE SES 4.5. Originally designed for the cobbles and crosswinds of Paris-Roubaix to provide an aero benefit with high volume tires, the ENVE SES 4.5 was the first of its kind and is now re-designed to deliver more speed in a lighter package.

The ENVE house favorite for its outright speed and confidence-inspiring ride, the ENVE SES 4.5 has been re-engineered to reduce weight, increase aero efficiency and further expand its capabilities when the going gets fast. Whether you’re pinning on the number for race day or seeking the fastest road wheelset across undulating terrain, the SES 4.5 is in the sweet spot for speed.

Originally designed to provide an aerodynamic advantage across the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix when running high-volume 28-32mm tires, the SES 4.5 AR was the first of its kind when it was introduced in 2016. ENVE has now taken all the best features of the SES 4.5 AR, such as the high-volume tire optimized rim design and shaping that gave it class-leading aerodynamics and stability, and updated it to include anti pinch-flat technology along with a lighter more refined laminate to reduce weight and improve the ride feel. The re-design gives the new ENVE SES 4.5 greater versatility through pinch-flat resistance and a reduction in weight with zero compromises to speed.

With an internal rim width of 25mm, confident handling results, making the ENVE SES 4.5 a game-changer on technical courses with imperfect pavement. Like the rest of the SES wheel line, the SES 4.5 has been optimized for road tubeless performance and features a hookless bead design that allows for the precise rim dimensions required to achieve the best tubeless performance. To further improve tubeless tire and rim reliability, this aerodynamic carbon fiber wheelset features ENVE’s patent pending Wide Hookless Bead, a design element at the leading edge of the rim that provides a more forgiving surface, that when impacted, will reduce the likelihood of pinch-flatting a tubeless tire.

Real World Fast

ENVE’s aero wheel development program is driven by their Real-World Fast mantra. This means that each wheel is developed under consideration of airflow efficiency, crosswind stability, handling, weight, tire integration, and much more. The result is a refined collection of wheels that are purpose built to be best-in-class and provide the maximum speed and efficiency benefit available for their intended discipline application.

The SES Difference

There’s a simple reason why SES wheels consistently score “best in test” in nearly any third-party aero test. ENVE is committed to sweating the small stuff and chasing the marginal gains that others will not.

• In-frame development and ride testing have taught ENVE that unique rim shapes and constructions between the front and back wheels optimize efficiency and the ride experience
  • Front wheels are designed to maximize crosswind stability. A rider’s stability on the bike, especially in time trial and triathlon, is critical for aero efficiency and overall performance
  • Rear wheels are designed to recapture air flow as it passes from the front of the bike to the back, which maximizes drag reduction
• Aerodynamically optimized around modern high-volume tubeless tires
  • The all-new SES lineup was developed around the ENVE SES 27mm tire
• Tested at 20 mph (32 kph) and 30 mph (48 kph). Our SES promise of Real-World Fast isn’t limited only to cycling’s elite
• Weighted Average Drag – All wind angles are not created equally. Anemometer data shows that most of your ride time will be spent in wind at less than 12 degrees yaw. Weighted average drag is a tool that helps a rider understand the aero efficiency of a wheelset in real-world wind and riding conditions

Tubeless Optimized

Greater speed, comfort, grip and puncture resistance – what’s not to like about road tubeless? With the selection of a high performance tire at the right pressure, you can achieve lower rolling resistance and more speed. Tubeless also allows you to run much lower tire pressures for far greater comfort, traction, and efficiency, especially over poor road surfaces and gravel, all without sacrificing speed. The potential for pinch flats and, with sealant, debris punctures is all but eliminated.

Tubeless represents the pinnacle of road wheel and tire performance, and the hookless bead design plays a significant role. A hookless rim design allows for machined metal tooling to establish a precise and consistent bead seat diameter that meets the defined requirement by ETRTO. That precision fitment between the tubeless tire bead and the rim’s bead seat ensures air and tire retention.

Engineered Flat Protection

Most flat tires are caused by one of two things; Intrusion punctures (staples, thorns, glass,etc.) or pinch-flats (potholes, railroad tracks, rocks, etc.). While there is little we can do as a rim manufacturer to prevent punctures, the rim feature called Wide Hookless Bead greatly reduces the likelihood of pinch-flatting. Wide Hookless Bead technology works by providing a blunt surface upon which to bottom out the tire, dissipating energy across a larger surface area and preventing tire damage. This allows you to run the correct tire pressure without the worry of pinch-flatting.